Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Senior catcher Jordan Rutkowski (Alden, N.Y./Alden) has repeated as the Horizon League Player of the Week after breaking Valpo’s career home run record last weekend in the midst of yet another spectacular weekend at the plate, hitting .714 over the Crusaders’ four games at the UTEP Invitational.

Rutkowski managed to top her outstanding numbers from the previous weekend in Valpo’s four games at the UTEP Invitational last weekend, helping the Crusaders to a 3-1 record.  The senior went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run and three RBIs in Valpo’s opening win against Iowa State, its second victory over the Big 12 foe this season.  Rutkowski then tallied a pair of doubles in a 2-for-2, two-run, three-RBI effort in the Crusaders’ victory over Brown.

Rutkowski, who matched the program record for career home runs with her round-tripper against Iowa State, broke that record in the win over UTSA, connecting for two home runs to give her 24 on her career.  She ended the UTSA game 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs, and closed the week with a 2-for-3, two-run effort in a one-run loss to UTEP.

Overall, Rutkowski hit a stunning .714 (10-for-14) with seven runs scored and nine RBIs on the weekend.  The senior catcher hit for power as well, tallying four doubles and three RBIs to slug at a 1.643 clip for the tournament.  The weekly honor is the second consecutive and third of Rutkowski’s career, and is the fourth honor to a Crusader player already this season.